[234]
Linum Arboreum. Tree Flax
Class and Order
Pentandria Pentagynia
Generic Character
Cal. 5-phyllus. Petala 5. Caps. 5-valvis, 10-locularis. Sem. solitaria.
Specific Character and Synonyms
LINUM arboreum foliis cuneiformibus, caulibus arborescentibus. Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 303. Ait. Kew. v. 1. p. 388.
LINUM arboreum. Alp. Exot. 19. t. 13.
No234.
Contrary to what we observe in most of the plants of this genus, the present very rare and no less beautiful species of Flax forms (if not a tree, as its name imports) a shrub of the height of several feet, which begins to flower in the green-house in March, and continues to be more or less covered with blossoms to the close of the summer.
It is a native of the Levant, from whence it was introduced to this country in the year 1788, with a profusion of other vegetables, by John Sibthorp, M. D. the present celebrated Professor of Botany in the University of Oxford; who, for the laudable purpose of promoting the science in which he is so eminent, and of enriching the Oxford collection, already rendered most respectable by his unwearied labours, meditates, as we are informed, a second journey into Greece.
Hitherto this plant has produced no seeds in this country, and it is with difficulty increased by cuttings.
Our figure was drawn from a plant which flowered in the spring with Messrs. Grimwood and Co. Kensington.
[235]
Trollius Asiaticus. Asiatic Globe-Flower
Class and Order
Polyandria Polygynia
Generic Character
Cal. 0. Petala circiter 14. Capsulæ plurimæ, ovatæ, polyspermæ.
Specific Character and Synonyms
TROLLIUS asiaticus corolla patula, nectariis staminibus longioribus. Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 518. Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 271.
HELLEBORUS aconiti folio, flore globoso croceo. Amm. Ruth. 101.
No235.
Of this genus, two species only have as yet been discovered, the one a native of Great-Britain, the other here figured the produce of Siberia and Cappadocia, both hardy, perennial, herbaceous plants; the latter, more particularly, from the bright orange colour of its flowers, held in high estimation as an ornamental plant, and flowering in May and June. This species, as yet rare in this country, is usually propagated by parting its roots in autumn; it may also be raised from seeds, which ripen frequently on strong healthy plants: to succeed in its cultivation, we should plant it in a composition of loam and bog earth, and place it in a north border, taking care that it does not suffer from want of watering in dry summers.
Was cultivated by Mr. Miller, in 1759. Ait. Kew.
[236]
Verbascum Myconi. Borage-Leav'd Mullein
Class and Order
Pentandria Monogynia
Generic Character
Corolla rotata, subinæqualis. Caps. 1-locularis 2-valvis.
Specific Character and Synonyms
VERBASCUM myconi foliis lanatis radicalibus, scapo nudo. Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 220. Ait. Kew. p. 238.
CORTUSA foliis ovatis sessilibus. Linn. Hort. Cliff. 50.
SANICULA alpina, foliis boraginis villosa. Bauh. Pin. 243.
AURICULA ursi myconi. Dalech. Hist. 837.
AURICULA ursi flore cœruleo folio Boraginis. Blew Beares Eares with Borage leaves. Park. Parad. p. 236. 237. f. 3.
No236.
Most of the plants of this genus are tall and shewy; the one here figured is however, of very humble growth, its flowering stem in the cultivated plant rarely exceeding six inches in height; its flowers are proportionably large, of a blueish purple colour, and highly ornamental; they make their appearance in May, and continue successively in blossom for several months, hence it becomes a desirable plant to cultivate, especially for the decorating of rock-work; it is very hardy, requires a north aspect in the summer, and to be carefully watered in dry weather; will grow in almost any soil, and is usually propagated by planting its roots in autumn.
Grows spontaneously on the Pyrenean Alps; in its wild state it is more dwarfish than our figure represents it, its foliage more woolly, and enriched with various tints, which the plant loses on cultivation; such specimens I saw in the possession of Dr. R. Halifax, of Albemarle-Street, who gathered it on its native Alps.
Was cultivated by Mr. Miller, in 1731, Ait. Kew. and most probably long before that period by Parkinson, who lives a figure and accurate description of it in his Parad. terrestris.
[237]
Oxalis Caprina. Goat's-Foot Wood Sorrel
Class and Order
Decandria Pentagynia
Generic Character
Cal. 5-phyllus. Petala Unibus connect. Caps. Anglos discerns, 5-Gina.
Specific Character and Synonyms
OXALIS Carina scapis unbeliefs, foliis ternaries glabris, floribus erects. Thunb. Oxalic, n. 11. Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 433.
OXALIS Peas Capra scapo embellisher, foliis ternaries sub bipartite apiece subtus callouses. Linn. Sp. Pl. ed. 3. p. 622.
OXALIS bulbosa pentacle et hexagonal, floribus margins lutes et copiosis. Burm. Afr. 80. t. 29. et t. 28. f. 3.
No237.
The Cape of Good-Hope, that most fertile source of curious and beautiful plants, affords numerous species of Wood Sorrel, and, among others, the present one, which is distinguished for the largeness of its blossoms; they are of a fine yellow colour, and, when expanded by the influence of the sun, make a very conspicuous figure in the green-house; it begins to flower early in April, and continues about two months in bloom, many flowering stems arising from the same root.
This species is of free growth, and increases plentifully by bulbs, which are produced on the crown of the root, as well as on its fibres; these, when the plant decays, should be taken up, and two or three of the largest planted in the middle of a pot filled with a mixture of bog earth and rotten leaves, well incorporated; towards winter, the pots mould be placed in the green-house, or in a frame so secured as perfectly to keep out frost.
Was cultivated by Mr. Miller, in 1757. Ait. Kew.
[238]
Senecio Elegans. Purple Groundsel, or Ragwort
Class and Order
Syngenesia Polygamia Superflua
Generic Character
Recept. nudum. Pappus simplex. Cal. cylindricus, calyculatus. Squamis apice sphacelatis.
Specific Character and Synonyms
SENECIO elegans corollis radiants, foliis pontiffs æqualibus pianissimos margin increased recurved. Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 757.
SENECIO elegans corollis radiants, foliis polos-viscid is pontiffs æqualibus pianissimos, Roach inferno angsts, calycibus hurts. Ait. Kew. v. 3. p. 193.
ASTER Africans Annuus senecionis foliis. Comm. Hort. 2. p. 59. t. 30.
No238.
Linnæus has given to this charming annual the name of elegans, on account of the great beauty of its flowers, the florets of the radius being of a most brilliant purple, and those of the disk bright yellow; colours regarded as peculiar to this plant, till the Sen. venustus described in the Hort. Kew. was discovered and introduced here; it is a native of the Cape and other parts of Africa, grows usually to the height of a foot and a half, or two feet; flowers from June to August, grows readily, requiring the same treatment as other annuals of the more tender kind; seedling plants raised in the autumn in pots, and kept in the green-house or under a frame during winter, will, of course, flower much earlier than plants produced in the spring
Within these few years, a variety of this Senecio with perfectly double flowers, equally brilliant as those of the single kind, has been introduced, and is here figured; this, from its superior beauty, is now cultivated, in preference to the single; there is double variety of it also with white flowers which being less shewy is not so much esteemed; both of these are raised, and that readily, from cuttings, which as soon as well rooted may be planted out in the open borders, where they will be highly ornamental during most of the summer; as young plants are most desirable, we should take care to have a constant succession from cuttings regularly put in, and to preserve pots of such in particular, in the green-house during winter, for early blowing the ensuing summer.
The single sort was cultivated here, by Charles Dubois, Esq. in the year 1700. Ait. Kew.